Tacoma City Council
Study Session
Noon, Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Room 16
Tacoma Municipal Building North
728 St. Helens Ave.

Salishan Hope VI project update
The Salishan HOPE VI Redevelopment project is a multi-million public housing project that responds to the City Council’s Strategic Plan goals of maintaining and enhancing neighborhoods, and building and sustaining a vibrant economy. The size, funding sources and proposed housing types and design of the HOPE VI Project have created the need for flexibility in the application of the city’s development regulations. Flexibility is necessary to accommodate innovative design, existing infrastructure and mixed housing types. Staff will present a summary and propose methods for resolving the issues.

Tacoma City Council
Regular Meeting
5 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Council Chambers
Tacoma Municipal Building
747 Market St.

Sales tax increase up for discussion
How would Tacoma spend the money it would receive if voters approve a sales tax increase in November? Pierce County may propose placing a sales tax increase of up to .3 percent on the November ballot after the state Legislature provided local government with the ability to seek voter approval for that amount. If voters approve the measure, the tax would be collected throughout Pierce County and the 21 cities within it. The City Council has indicated it would spend a portion of the money on domestic violence response and will take public comment on other possible programs to support with the revenues.

Formal vote on Patriot Act stance?
Will the City Council formalize an opinion on the USA Patriot Act of 2001? The council will review and vote on a resolution that says the council will take all necessary measures required to protect the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as guaranteed under the Declaration of Independence. The measure’s intial sponsor, Councilman Bill Evans, brought forth the resolution which calls for resisting any unconstitutional actions under the USA Patriot Act or similar government acts. More than 140 other local and state governments have passed similar measures-including one passed in Seattle in February.

Council to vote on police HQ artist
In May the City of Tacoma held a competitive “Call to Artists” to create art for the new police headquarters and Fleet Services campus planned at the old Costco site on Pine Street near 38th. A selection committee – including members of the Tacoma Police Department, Fleet Services, the Tacoma Arts Commission, the city’s Public Works Department and the community – has recommended artist John Rogers of Portland, Ore. for the job. The City Council will take public testimony and vote on hiring Rogers to create a unique piece of artwork for the new facility. Rogers is known for his elegant, suspended sculptures made from dichroic glass and aluminum hardware that respond interactively to light.

New apts. may receive tax exemption
Ronnie and Jane Pulliam may have a $6,600 per year incentive to construct four new market-rate apartments at 616 N. Oakes St. A resolution before the council would give the couple a Multi-Family Housing Limited Property Tax Exemption for the 1,000 single family units designed to house small families with two or three people in each unit.

This is an incomplete agenda. The Index prints as much as space allows.